title: Circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A and its soluble receptor in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine affecting angiogenesis and vascular function. The biological activity of VEGF is modulated by its soluble receptor VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1). We explored the associations of VEGF and sVEGFR-1 concentrations with liver histology in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was comprised of 99 patients with NAFLD and 75 healthy controls. Serum VEGF and sVEGFR-1 concentrations were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum VEGF levels did not differ in patients with NAFLD (1882 ± 942 pg/mL) compared with healthy controls (1985 ± 945 pg/mL, p = 0.42). However, compared with healthy subjects, levels of sVEGFR-1 were significantly lower in patients with NAFLD (1.59 ± 0.58 ng/mL vs. 1.16 ± 0.34 ng/mL, respectively, p <0.001). After allowance for potential confounders, serum sVEGFR-1 levels retained their independent significance as a predictor of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD (β = -0.19; t = -1.81, p <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD have a significant reduction in serum sVEGFR-1 concentrations that predict the degree of liver fibrosis, independent of potential confounders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Altunizade, Istanbul, Turkey. yusufyilmaz@uludag.edu.tr
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Oya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yonal
authors.forename: Ramazan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kurt
authors.forename: Yesim Ozen
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Alahdab
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozdogan
authors.forename: Cigdem Ataizi
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Celikel
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ulukaya
authors.forename: Nese
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Imeryuz
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalayci
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Avsar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1